Archives of Renal Diseases and Management

SS Goonewardene1* and P Rajjayabun2

Research Article

Urology Registrar Great Western Hospitals,

Swindon, England
2
Consultant Urological Surgeon Worcester Acute
Hospitals, Worcestershire, England

Acute Management of Renal Colic

and Compliance with National
Standards: Closure of the Audit Loop

Dates: Received: 08 September, 2015; Accepted:

29 January, 2016; Published: 01 February, 2016
*Corresponding author: SS Goonewardene,
Urology Registrar Great Western Hospitals, Swindon,
England, E-mail:
www.peertechz.com
ISSN: 2455-5479

Introduction
Renal (ureteric) colic is a common surgical emergency. It is usually
caused by calculi obstructing the ureter, but about 15% of patients
have other causes, e.g. extrinsic compression, intramural neoplasia
or an anatomical abnormality [1]. Up to 12 percent of the population
will have a urinary stone during their lifetime, and recurrence rates
approach 50 percent [2]. Fifty-five percent of those with recurrent
stones have a family history of urolithiasis [3] and having such a history
increases the risk of stones by a factor of three [4]. Upon presentation
to the A&E department, suspected acute renal colic patients must have
a clinical examination and radiological investigations to confirm the
diagnosis [5].
The best imaging study to confirm the diagnosis of a urinary
stone in a patient with acute flank pain is unenhanced, helical CT of
the abdomen and pelvis [6]. If CT is unavailable, plain abdominal
radiography should be performed, since 75 to 90 percent of urinary
calculi are radiopaque [5]. Although ultrasonography has high specificity
(greater than90 percent), its sensitivity is much lower than that of CT,
typically in the range of 11 to24 percent [5]. Thus, ultrasonography is
not used routinely but is appropriate as the initial imaging test when
colic occurs during pregnancy [7]. Urgent intervention is indicated in
a patient with an obstructed, infected upper urinary tract, impending
renal deterioration, intractable pain or vomiting, anuria, or high-grade
obstruction of a solitary or transplanted kidney [5]. Infection proximal
to obstruction is suggested by fever, urinalysis showing pyuria and
bacteriuria, and leukocytosis, and the presence of urosepsis is associated
with an increased risk of complications [5]. Impaired glomerular
filtration inhibits the entry of antibiotics into the collecting system and
requires emergency decompression by means of either percutaneous
nephrostomy or ureteral stenting [8,9].
There are very strict guidelines produced by the BAUS and the
College of Emergency Medicine. Despite this, over a quarter of UK
A&E departments did not perform any radiological investigations
when patients presented with renal colic. Shockingly some departments
do not even offer renal colic patients any analgesia [5].
British Association of Urology Guidelines (2008) [10], specify
clinical assessment must exclude UTI/ AAA. Initial investigations must
include x-ray KUB, urinalysis and FBC/U+Es. Within 24 hours a Non
contrast CT must be conducted to confirm the diagnosis, or IVU if CT
is unavailable. In addition analgesia must be administered: NSAIDS/

Opiates. If stones are present, mandatory metabolic studies must

be conducted. Renal drainage is required in the presence of sepsis/
an infected obstructed kidney, a single functioning kidney or
intractable pain.
We previously audited our patient records, and demonstrated
we were none compliant with the recommended gold standards. We
analysed 32 case notes, from Dec 2009 to September 2010 admitted
with a provisional diagnosis of renal colic to Worcestershire Acute
Hospitals. We demonstrated the mean time to analgesia from
triage for severe pain was 106 minutes, 62 minutes for moderate
pain and 46 minutes for mild pain. 84% received the appropriate
analgesic (NSAID/Opiate). The reasons for not giving analgesia
were documented in all cases. In only 18% (6 cases) pain was reevaluated within 60 minutes. Stones were proven in 15% (5 cases).
100% of cases had urinalysis (results recorded in the notes). With
appropriate bloods being taken in 93.9% (31 cases, FBC, U+Es), but
only 2 patients (6%) had Urata and calcium levels taken. 75.8% (25
cases) had X-ray KUBs dons as the initial radiological intervention,
78.1% (23 cases) being done the same day. 53.1 % (17 cases) had a
NCCT, 15% (5) being done within 24 hrs. 9% (3 patients) had IVU
conducted, one within 24 hrs. 2 as an outpatient. 29 patients had a
radiology plan in the notes. 5 patients had neither X-ray KUB nor
NCCT.
Since then, interventions including teaching sessions to junior
doctors by a Consultant Urologist have been put into place to
improve clinical practice.

Aims and objectives

We aim to re-audit management of patients admitted to
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals with renal colic in line with
BAUS guidelines (2008) over a one year period and develop
recommendations in order to develop the service further.

Method
Over one year, we conducted a retrospective analysis of patient
notes admitted with renal colic to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals.
We will be collecting data on the following in order to see if clinical
practice was in line with guidelines:

Recording of pain score

Whether patients in pain were offered/ received appropriate
analgesia within 60 minutes of arrival/ triage

Patients with pain having documented evidence of re-

Citation: Goonewardene SS , Rajjayabun P (2016) Acute Management of Renal Colic and Compliance with National Standards: Closure of the Audit Loop.
Arch Renal Dis Manag 2(1): 008-010.

008

Goonewardene and Rajjayabun (2016)

evaluation and action within 60 minutes of receiving the first

dose of analgesic

History / Examination: to exclude Abdominal Aortic

Aneurysm, UTI.

Initial Investigations
o Patients should have a dipstick urinalysis performed and
the result recorded in the notes
o Patients should have FBC & renal function performed
and the result recorded in the notes before discharge
o Serum Calcium / Urate: Mandatory basic metabolic
studies if stones are present.
o X-ray KUB, non-contrast CT or IVU documented in
notes and whether CT was conducted within 24 hrs.
o Patients over 60 should have AAA excluded by
appropriate investigation

Outpatient review, GP follow up or specialty referral should

be made in accordance with local policy.

Renal Drainage: Required in presence of: Sepsis / infected

obstructed kidney.

(Nephrostomy / Stent) Single functioning kidney. Intractable

pain.

Emergency Senior Urological referral to determine if

disobstruction required and method / timing of renal
drainage.

Results will be analyzed via percentages and compared to previous

audit to close the audit loop.

Results
40 cases were admitted to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals with
a diagnosis of renal colic. One patient declined analgesia (results
documented in notes). 25% had severe pain (10 cases, pain score 7-10),
time to analgesia 30 minutes. 25% had moderate pain (10 cases, score
4-6), time to analgesia was 40.4 mins. 50% had mild pain score (20
cases, pain score 1-5), time to analgesia 81.8 mins. 72.5% (29 patients)
had their pain re-assessed within one hour after receiving analgesia.
77.5% (31 patients) received appropriate analgesia (NSAID/ Opiate).
45% (18 patients) had clinical history/ examination to rule out UTI/
AAA. 100% of patients had urinalysis, but in 2 cases, results were not
documented in notes. 65% (21 cases) had X-ray KUB as the initial
investigation, 79% the same day, 9 cases then had NCCT. 75% (30
cases) had NCCT, 50% (15 cases) were the same day. 27.5% (11 cases)
had stones on CT. One case had an OP IVU. The Radiology plan
was documented in notes in 92.5% (37 cases). 100% had blood for
FBC and U+ES which were all documented in notes. Only 3 cases
had urate and calcium levels tested. 100% of cases had senior Urology
review.
We analyzed 32 case notes, from Dec 2009 to September 2010
admitted with a provisional diagnosis of renal colic to Worcestershire
Acute Hospitals. We demonstrated the mean time to analgesia from
triage for severe pain was 106 minutes, 62 minutes for moderate
pain and 46 minutes for mild pain. 84% received the appropriate
analgesic (NSAID/Opiate). The reasons for not giving analgesia were
documented in all cases. In only 18% (6 cases) pain was re-evaluated

Table 1: Table comparing both cohorts.

Cohort 1 with ureteric colic

Cohort 2- post teaching and education

Patients

32 patients

40 cases

Dates

Dec 2009 to September 2010

October 2010- July 2010

Mean time to analgesia

Severe pain was 106 minutes, 62 minutes for moderate

pain and 46 minutes for mild pain

sSevere pain was 30 minutes, moderate pain time to analgesia was

40.4 mins, mild pain score analgesia 81.8 mins

Appropriate analgesic (NSAID/

Opiate)

84%

77.5%

Pain reassessment

In only 18% (6 cases) pain was re-evaluated within 60

minutes.

72.5% (29 patients) had their pain re-assessed

Presence of stones

Stones were proven in 15% (5 cases).

Urinalysis recorded in notes

100% of cases had urinalysis (results recorded in the

notes).

. 100% of patients had urinalysis, but in 2 cases, results were not

documented in notes.

Appropriate bloods taken

93.9% (31 cases, FBC, U+Es),

100% had blood for FBC and U+ES which were all documented in
notes

Urate and calcium levels

2 patients (6%) had urate and calcium levels taken.

Only 3 cases had urate and calcium levels tested.

Initial investigation

75.8% (25 cases) had X-ray KUBs done as the initial

radiological intervention

65% (21 cases) had X-ray KUB as the initial investigation,

X-ray within 24 hours

78.1% (23 cases) being done the same day

79% the same day, then, 9 cases then had NCCT.

None contrast CT?

53.1 % (17 cases) had a NCCT,

75% (30 cases) had NCCT

CT within 24 hours

15% (5) being done within 24 hrs.

50% (15 cases) were the same day

IVU

9% (3 patients) had IVU conducted, one within 24 hrs. 2

as an outpatient.

One case had an OP IVU

Radiology plan in notes

29 patients had a radiology plan in the notes

Radiology plan was documented in notes in 92.5%

009

Citation: Goonewardene SS , Rajjayabun P (2016) Acute Management of Renal Colic and Compliance with National Standards: Closure of the Audit Loop.
Arch Renal Dis Manag 2(1): 008-010.

Goonewardene and Rajjayabun (2016)

within 60 minutes. Stones were proven in 15% (5 cases). 100% of

cases had urinalysis (results recorded in the notes). With appropriate
bloods being taken in 93.9% (31 cases, FBC, U+Es), but only 2 patients
(6%) had urate and calcium levels taken. 75.8% (25 cases) had X-ray
KUBs done as the initial radiological intervention, 78.1% (23 cases)
being done the same day. 53.1 % (17 cases) had a NCCT, 15% (5)
being done within 24 hrs. 9% (3 patients) had IVU conducted, one
within 24 hrs. 2 as an outpatient. 29 patients had a radiology plan in
the notes. 5 patients had neither X-ray KUB nor NCCT (Table 1).

recommendations. Once clinical changes are in place, we can then

re-audit the system again to see if any further change has been caused.

Discussion

3. Ljunghall S, Danielson BG, Fellstrom B, Holmgren K, Johansson G, et al.

(1985) Family history of renal stones in recurrent stone patients. Br J Urol 57:
370-374.

We have demonstrated that in the majority of guidelines present,

our practice has improve. The majority of patients are currently having
their pain re-assessed within one hour after receiving analgesia and
are receiving the appropriate analgesic. However whilst 79% of those
having X-ray KUB as the primary radiological investigation the same
day, only 50% of those having CT are having it done the same day.
This demonstrates our interventions have been effective, however
we can still improve, especially with regards to timing of radiological
investigations. We can aid our service by development of a renal colic
protocol/ proforma, on which will be recorded all the information
that needs to be addressed, e.g. analgesia, time to analgesia, etc.
Included in this will be testing for calcium and urate levels in patients
with renal stones, which is currently not done as part of routine care
in all patients diagnosed with renal stones. We can review whether
this is effective with another re-audit.

Conclusion
We have demonstrated we are following guidelines in the majority
of patients, however can still improve service running with further

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Copyright: 2016 Goonewardene SS, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

010

Citation: Goonewardene SS , Rajjayabun P (2016) Acute Management of Renal Colic and Compliance with National Standards: Closure of the Audit Loop.
Arch Renal Dis Manag 2(1): 008-010.